ITV and talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface has had his say ahead of the crunch north London derby clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal this Thursday night.
The Gunners have bounced back from three successive defeats with four straight wins to take command of the race for the final Champions League place.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to the home of their north London rivals with a four point lead over Antonio Conte’s men who are fifth and know that win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would secure their place at Europe’s top table for the first time since 2016/17 season.
Would Gabriel Jesus improve Arsenal?
Yes!
No!
Despite looking nailed on for fourth and maybe even higher given Chelsea’s torrid form, Matterface isn’t convinced.
He believes after seeing Spurs claim a honourable point at Anfield on Saturday night, followed by Arsenal’s sound victory over Leeds United the following day that the Whites are the better of the two teams.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s latest edition of the GameDay podcast he made his thoughts very clear:
(24:09) “I’m talking about what I saw with my eyes on Saturday night and watching what I saw on Sunday. I think Tottenham are a better team.”
TIF Thoughts on Arsenal and the NLD…
It will be a welcome achievement for the Gunners to make the top four for the first time since the 2015/16 season when they finished second to champions Leicester City.
That was the last time the reds finished higher than the Whites as well so bragging rights would be back on the Gunners side should they claim Champions League football by pipping their neighbours.
Even with a defeat in Thursday’s game they would still have control of their own destiny but there is no doubt that they will be hoping to put things to bed and prove once and for all that they are the best team in north London.
AND in other news, “Nothing major” – Relief for Arsenal as early NLD team news emerges